Adopt eco-friendly material to offset curbs on flex: digital printers

Digital printers in Maharashtra advocate the use of eco-friendly PVC for large format printing that is used for packaging and packing which is exempted from the ban; at the same time, they may approach court for a stay on the ban on flex boards & banners

Maharashtra is perhaps taking the same route as Karnataka and Chattisgarh with regard to curbs on flex printing. The Maharashtra Government is flexing its muscles to root out flex boards and banners in the state by March. As a result, the digital printing industry is in a quandary.

While talking to Media4Growth, Vivek Sejpal, MD, Splash Digital admitted that the industry is not ready for this decision. “This is like a soft threat for the industry but we have to find a solution as there are huge numbers of people associated with this industry who will get affected by the ban. Moreover, the corporation can’t ban flexes since they are also earning handsome revenues from advertising. However, if the ban comes about we will follow Karnataka’s footprints and obtain a court stay on the ban.”Citing a probable solution, Mansukh Gala, Owner, Pacific Digital said, “We will have put eco-friendly PVC into use for large format printing that is used for packaging and packing and this is exempted from the ban”.

Mansukh also stated that advertising brands shouldn’t hesitate in spending more on eco-friendly printing, especially when they are willing to spend large sums on acquiring sites. Along with printers, flex suppliers are in dilemma as they are not sure whether to continue supplying the material in large quantities.